Download Instructions

Location

All MBLogic files are hosted at
Sourceforge. This is a
popular repository for free/open source software. Due to a recent web site
redesign at Sourceforge, selecting MBLogic packages is not as easy as it
once was. However, if you follow these instructions you will be able to
obtain the packages you are looking for.

Note: The Sourceforge web site is provided by a third party.
This web site changes from time to time without warning as the Sourceforge
operators make improvements. The instructions on this web page attempt to
remain up to date, but please note that changes to Sourceforge can be as
much as surprise to me as they are to you.

Available Packages

MBLogic is distributed in five different packages. These are MBLogic-All,
MBLogic, HMIServer, MBTools, and MBLibs.

MBLogic-All

This is simply a combination of all MBLogic packages in a single combined
package for easier download. Select this if you want all the MBLogic packages,
or if you are not sure what package you want. MBLogic-All will always contain
the latest releases for each of the individual packages.

MBLogic

MBLogic is the name of a package was well as the name of the project
as a whole. The MBLogic package has a complete soft logic and HMI system
with many additional features. If all you want is the MBLogic package,
you do not need MBTools or MBLibs.

HMISerer

HMIServer provides the same web based HMI as is used in MBLogic, but
in a stand alone form. If you just want the HMI system but without the
control functionality of MBLogic, you can use HMIServer.

MBTools

MBTools contains a number of programs which can run independently of
MBLogic. These are useful for troubleshooting, commissioning, testing,
as well as providing tools for solving simple applications involving
industrial communications.

MBLibs

MBLibs contains libraries which can be used to help write your own custom
software. The MBLogic and MBTools packages contain their own copies of these
libraries, so you do not need MBLibs to run MBLogic or MBTools. These libraries
are simply provided separately as a convenience to other software developers.

Sourceforge Project Page

The main page for the MBLogic project on source forge is referred to here
as the project page.
The following image shows the key portion of these web page.

The MBLogic-All package will be displayed here. This will contain all the
MBLogic packages together with a "Download Now!" button. Select this if you
want everything, or if you are not sure what you want. When you click on this
button and the download process will begin. If this is not the package you
want, then you will need to proceed to the "View all files" page.

All Files Page

To access additional download options, click on the "View all files" button
beside the "Download Now!" button. When you click on that button, you will be
taken to a new web page which will look something like the following:

The "main" download files will be at the top. Below that you
will find a list of the packages (MBLogic, MBTools, MBLibs, HMIServer).
To see the list of releases for each package, click on the triangle to the left
of the package name. Note that the Sourceforge web site is updated from
time to time, and the details of its appearance may change.

Selecting a Release

The "All Files" page has every release made of all of the packages. Each
release is numbered consecutively. Some packages have changed name over their
history, but the newest release is always at the bottom of each list. Normally,
you will want the most recent release. However, you may select an older
release if you wish.

Selecting a File for Download

Once you have selected a package and a release, you need to select the
actual file for download.

MS Windows Versions and Linux Versions

Each release comes in two versions - an MS Windows version and a Linux
version. Both versions are identical, with the exception that the files in
the MS Windows version are reformatted to use the non-standard new line
characters which MS Windows uses. These consist of a carriage return plus a
line feed instead of just a line feed. This results in the MS Windows files
being slightly larger. The conversion is performed automatically when a release
is generated though, and there is no difference in the actual content.

One of the new features in Sourceforge is the ability to tag files as being
for MS Windows or for Linux. The project page will detect whether your current
computer is using MS Windows or Linux, and will present you with the version
in the "Download Now!" button which is appropriate to that OS. If you wish to
download the version for a different OS than the one you are currently using,
you will need to do so from the "All Files" page.

The different versions may be distinguished by the following simple rule:

MS Windows versions end with a ".zip" file extension.

Linux versions end with a "tar.gz" (or just ".tar" in some
cases) file extension.

Mac OS/X Support

MBLogic is not tested with Mac OS/X (due to lack of a Mac). However, Mac
OS/X users report that it will work on a Mac. If you have a Mac and want to use
any of the MBLogic packages, choose the Linux version.

Installation

Once you have downloaded your package, you can install it by unzipping the
downloaded file. Each package includes installation instructions (in a PDF file
in all newer releases). Installation may require downloading additional third
party packages. Read the installation instructions for step by step instructions
on how to do this.

Help and Support

Help and support can be obtained by leaving a message in the "Help and
Support" forums. These can be accessed via the menu at the top of the main
project page (see "Support" just below the project name).

Project Web Site

The project web site (including this web page) can be accessed from the
main project page by clicking on the URL located below the "Download Now!"
button.

Documentation

Complete documentation ships with each package. In addition, copies of the
documentation are located on this web site. Browse the web pages located here
to see what features are included in each package and how it works.